FRANKLIN - Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson took his Joseph Project jobs initiative to the Milwaukee County House of Correction Wednesday night, meeting with six offenders who are beginning the road from incarceration to entering the job market.

"You're doing this not only for yourself and your family but for other folks who also want this opportunity," Johnson told the group that is eligible for work release.

After classes over four days to learn soft skills that can be used in the job market, the group earned graduation certificates and the chance to apply for work at Mayville Engineering Co.

The Joseph Project is named after a book by conservative Robert L. Woodson, who advocates for community- and faith-based programs to restore neighborhoods and reduce crime and violence.

Johnson's initiative began in late 2015 when he partnered with Pastor Jerome Smith of Greater Praise Church of God in Christ to link inner-city workers from Milwaukee to jobs in Sheboygan County. Classes have also been held in Madison and Wausau.

"I'm venturing out to a new horizon," he said. "It's an overwhelming thing."

At the House of Correction, more than 1,200 people have been placed in employment since the opening of a job center two years ago. To be eligible for the program, offenders have to be granted community access.

Around a quarter of the population at the facility is eligible for work release, said Jose Hernandez, the assistant superintendent.

By partnering with the Joseph Project, he said he hopes that it will help people continue in the jobs after their release.

In his talk, Johnson stressed the dignity of work and earning a living. He talked about previous graduates who spoke with pride about how their children viewed them.

"It should really make you feel good when you have succeeded," he said.

Johnson, a manufacturer, said that he has employed people on work release. He said it's important to convey to an employer that "what's past is past."

"Most people are happy to give people a second or third or fourth chance as long as you can convince them you're serious," he said.

Johnson said he looks for a worker with a good attitude who can embrace training.

"The thing is that attitude, you know, coming into an interview and saying, 'Ron, I just want to come here and work hard, work with you and help this company succeed. If this company succeeds, I'll succeed. I'll have a job.' "

"I don't expect perfection, no employer does," he told the group.

Johnson said he appreciated the group's willingness to take the class.